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The Excellance of Dusty Baker

I'm sure some on here just cursed me, but if we're getting into the "excellance" of the 1st 2 games, might as well give some props to Dusty.

Starting Stubbs in Center....Excellant call, and saved some runs.
Phillips continuing to bat leadoff despite late season slump there, has done wonders so far.
Starting Arroyo in game 2, who could have done better?
Remaining cool under pressure when his Ace departs after 8 pitchers.

2 games in and he has the golden touch so far.

I worried that Cozart was hurt when I saw a glimpse of Valdez walking out to the on deck circle. Then I realized he was starting to give his starters some rest/work in the guys on the bench to get them some "experience" and I seriously questioned it. Sure you drop a 9-0 lead and I'm not going to falt anyone other than the pitcher(s) and God, but the playoffs didn't seem to be the time to work in backups like Valdez and Cairo. Turns out I was wrong, and in hindsight a great move by Dusty.

He's worked every pitcher in a game so far (not by design due to Cueto's injury I'm sure) w/ the exception of Simon. Every reliever is fresh heading into tomorrow, every pitche w/ the exception of Simon has been thru the first wave of playoff nerves.

Bronson could have gone 8 or 9 last night, but after the long inning, pulling him after 7 probably leaves him fresh enough to pitch on 3 days rest in game 5 if needed. Not knowing where Cueto stands health wise, that could be a huge decision.

Re: The Excellance of Dusty Baker

I don't think it's been stated enough how well he handled the Cueto situation. To keep his cool under pressure and put LeCure in to let Latos get as close to his normal pre-start warmups in was a great move by him. That's what managing is all about.

Originally Posted by PuffyPig

Let's face it, you mis-hit the bun with the mustard squirter, no one will really care.

Re: The Excellance of Dusty Baker

Originally Posted by reds44

I don't think it's been stated enough how well he handled the Cueto situation. To keep his cool under pressure and put LeCure in to let Latos get as close to his normal pre-start warmups in was a great move by him. That's what managing is all about.

Agreed. Dusty played that situation like a pro without any panic.

...the 2-2 to Woodsen and here it comes...and it is swung on and missed! And Tom Browning has pitched a perfect game! Twenty-seven outs in a row, and he is being mobbed by his teammates, just to the thirdbase side of the mound.

Reds manager Dusty Baker cited AT&T Park's forgiving nature toward pitchers as a reason he tapped Arroyo for Game 2 there. His tendency to serve homers was less likely to hurt him. When Baker managed the Giants, he said, Barry Bonds would counsel pitcher Jason Schmidt to let go of any inhibitions and "trust the park.” Schmidt, however, had a classic delivery and scorching fastball. He didn't have Arroyo's quirks or his capacity to make teammates smirk in awe or strike a pose of condescension.

Tim McCarver: Baseball Quotes
I remember one time going out to the mound to talk with Bob Gibson. He told me to get back behind the batter, that the only thing I knew about pitching was that it was hard to hit.

Re: The Excellance of Dusty Baker

It seems like we're grasping at things to praise Dusty about.

Starting Arroyo between Cueto and Latos wasn't all that clever -- break up the power arms in a short series, keep the other team off-balance. But I'll grant him some credit, because this wasn't an obvious move.

Why does Dusty deserve praise for finally moving Drew Stubbs to the 8-hole *after refusing to do so for most of the season*? Smart move, Dusty. Way to finally come to your senses and do the obvious.

Working every pitcher into a game? Well, aside from the necessity of using the bullpen in Game 1, is it really a "great move" to let two underworked mop-up men throw an inning each in a blowout? Is that praise-worthy?

I'm all for giving credit where credit is due. I just don't think there is much credit due here.

"I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful

Re: The Excellance of Dusty Baker

It's a results oriented business. The team has had great results this year. Baker deserves praise just like the players, the coaches and the front office do. People will parcel it out as they subjectively see it, but I don't see how you can begrudge the manager a chunk of credit.

"Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

Re: The Excellance of Dusty Baker

I'd argue that a 2-0 game lead and almost all questionable decisions made working out in his favor tend to deserve credit and/ or praise.

Dude's done good work, as evidenced by the success of the team he's in charge of.

The players have done good work, and deserve the lion's share of the credit. Their success has masked a lot of Dusty's shortcomings (like having two terrible OBP hitters batting at the top of the lineup all season).

You can't just heap praise based on results without evaluating the process.

"I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful

Re: The Excellance of Dusty Baker

Originally Posted by Johnny Footstool

The players have done good work, and deserve the lion's share of the credit. Their success has masked a lot of Dusty's shortcomings (like having two terrible OBP hitters batting at the top of the lineup all season).

You can't just heap praise based on results without evaluating the process.

Exactly which players should Dusty have hit at the top of the lineup? Hanigan, is this the big criticism? That he didn't hit a slow footed catcher first or second? Rather weak criticism I would say. He moved Phillips to lead off as soon as he could.

I don't agree with all of Dusty's propensities as a manager, but I only know of one individual who would manage exactly like me -- and that's me.

Have there been previous Reds teams Dusty managed which SHOULD have been in the playoffs but weren't? I'd say no.

He has done a superb job this year. Doesn't mean I would have approached it exactly the same way. But IMO the team outperformed its talent and much of it because of Dusty.

He has handled the pitching staff superbly. He has handled the injury situations superbly. He has not ignored the hitting weaknesses, but has moved players around to try and overcome them.

I don't like all the bunting and I think he leaves starters in a tad too long sometimes. But it's a small price to pay. The guy has done a great job.

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